Apparatus for extinguishing fires in tanks



May 31, 1932. w. FyT HlEDE. 1,8 0 8 APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN TAN KS Filed'April 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY w. F. THIEDE 1,860,825

APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN TANKS May 31, 1932.

Filed April 25. 1929 ZSheets-Sheet ,2

INVENTOR Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM F. THIEDE, OF WESTFIELD, NEW

VELOPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF JERSEY, ASSIGNOR r STANDARD on. im-

DELAWARE APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN TANKS Application filed April 25,

' which Fig. 1 is a section through an oil storage therein p -Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line II-II, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view slmilar to Fig. 1, but showp ing a modified type of equipment; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line III-III.

Referring to Figs. land 2, 1 denotes an oil storage tank and 2 aclosed standpipe having a closed upper end above the normal level of liquid in the tank. The standpipe is mounted at some suitable location within the tank, preferably near the center. The

standpipe receives a fire extinguishing material, especially foam, through a line '3, which enters the tank and standpipe below, the normal level of liquid in the tank and is extended upwardly through the standpipe 2 and opens above the normal level of liquid in the tank. This line may be connected to the refinery foam supply, or it may receive foam forming chemicals through branches 4 and 5. In this case the line 3 serves as a mixing column for foam formation. Valves 6 and 7 are provided in lines 4 and 5, respectively.

Pairs of outlet pipes 8 are arranged at intervals throughout the length of the standpipe. These pipes are open at their ends for free discharge of foam upon the surface of oil in the tank. 5

Standpipe 2 may be supported by guy rods 9 or in any other suitable way which does not involve a connection to the roof or upper walls of the tank.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig.

-mable liquid 1929. Serial No. 358,131.

3, the construction of the standpipe and supply line is substantially the same but the standpipe is mounted near the side of the tank and is secured thereto by straps 10 or other fastening means. The highest connection to the wall of the tank should not be much more than two-thirds of the distance from bottom to top of the tank. Pipes 8 extend outwardly from the standpipe. In large tanks it is desirable to provide a plurality of st-andpipes. Two of these are illustrated in 3, but it will be understood that any suitable number may be used.

In operating the equipment described, the valves in branches 4 and 5 are opened as soon as a fire is detected in the tank. Foam is formed in line 3 and overflows into the standipe. The foam will flow through such of the out-lets as are above the surface 0 oil in the tank. Owing to the arrangement of the outlets at various heights, the foam will in no case have to fall a substantial distance through a zone of heat before spreading over the surface of the oil. Moreover, in the improved equipment connections with the roof and upper walls of the tank have been avoid- ,ed. In previous installations it has often happened that explosions in the tank have wrecked the foam supplying equipment before it has a chance to discharge any foam upon' the burning oil. In the construction described herein, the standpipe willordinarily remain in position even though the roof of the tank may be blown off and the upper walls crushed.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative and various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim alLnovelty inherent in the invention. as broadly as the prior art permits.

1 claim:

1. In fire prevention apparatus, a standpipe adapted to be disposed in a tank for inflamwith its upper end above the normal level of the liquid,'and a conduit of relatively small diameter entering the standpipe in close proximity to the lower end thereof and opening into the upper portion of the standpipe above the normal level of liquid, the standpipe being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced outlets.

2. A storage device, comprising a tank adapted to contain inflammable liquid, a standpipe in the tank and having a closed upper end above the normal level of liquid in the tank, and a conduit of relatively small diameter entering the standpipe in close proximity to the lower end thereof and opening into the standpipe above the normal level of liquid, the standpipe being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced outlets.

3. A- storage device, comprising a tank adapted to contain inflammable liquid, a standpipe in the tank and having an upper ,end above the normal level of liquid in the tank, and a conduit of relatively small diameter entering the tank and standpipe in close proximity to the lower end thereof and opening into the standpipe above the normal level of liquid, the standpipe being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced outlets.

WILLIAM F. THIEDE. 

